WHAT IS IROA?
International Range Officer Association (IROA)
IPSC created the International Range Officers Association (IROA) to establish a structure for the accreditation, recognition and maintenance of match officials.
IROA certifies that IPSC Range Officers are the best trained, the best qualified and best prepared to ensure a uniform worldwide standard for all competitions.
Education
The preparation, development, maintenance and distribution of match official training materials which reflect the current and future requirements of IPSC matches.
The identification and training of national match officials who exhibit a high level of competence, attitude and a personal commitment to the safety and quality of IPSC matches to join the ranks of IROA.
The promotion of programs and policies to assist the IPSC Regions in the installation and development of National Range Officer Institutes using the IROA models and standards.
Membership
To provide criteria for membership and annual maintenance of membership, introduction of benchmark systems to facilitate the development and deployment and promotion of IROA Officials in an equitable fashion.
To devise and employ a fair and just system for IROA officials with the understanding that IROA officials must set a very high standard as an example to all officials and IPSC competitors at all times.
Administration
The creation and maintenance of current records of IROA Officials including their ranks and historical performance and to set codes of conduct as well as minimum standards for attitude and appearance to maintain the IROA image throughout IPSC.
To install and maintain a system to provide IROA officials with appropriate identification and apparel.
Operations
To provide IPSC Region with technical and practical support to assist them in delivering high quality international matches.
To provide IPSC matches with high quality IROA officials to help ensure matches are conducted safely and to provide logistical support to ensure orderly operation.
To inspect and maintain targets, props, range conditions and any other aspects of matches as may be deemed necessary.
To direct and control the consistent application of the IPSC rules to constantly strive for the highest level of equity in competition and the enjoyment of the competitors.
Consultation
To advise IPSC on all matters relating to rule changes and match operations including safety, firearm and equipment development and competitor actions.
To provide the Regions with current and effective expertise to assist them with the development and maintenance of their NROI organizations.
To provide IPSC with appropriate research, opinions and evidence as may be required.
IROA Membership Criteria
International Stats Officer (SO)
- Stats Officer collects, sorts, verifies, tabulates and retains all score sheets and ultimately produces provisional and final results.
- Must be a current member of his Region.
- Must be a current working member of his Region’s NROI.
- Must have accumulated a minimum of 15 match points as a Stats Officer at IPSC Level II or higher matches, including at least 1 Level III.
- Must be sufficiently fluent in English to be able to run a stats office at an internationally sanctioned match. i.e. communicate with other Officials and competitors about scores and procedures.
- Must submit an IROA membership application using the prescribed form. The application form must be countersigned by both his Regional Director and NROI Chairman, and then forwarded to IROA.
International Range Officer (RO)
- Range Officer issues range commands, oversees competitor compliance with the written stage briefing and closely monitors safe competitor action. He also declares the time, scores and penalties achieved by each competitor and verifies that these are correctly recorded on the competitor’s score sheet.
- Must be a current member of his Region.
- Must be a current working member of his Region’s NROI and hold a rank of RO or above.
- Must have accumulated a minimum of 15 match points as a RO/CRO/RM at IPSC Level III or higher matches.
- Must be sufficiently fluent in English to be able to run a stage in an internationally sanctioned match i.e. read the stage briefing, give range commands and answer questions.
- Must have successfully passed the current IROA Level I Range Officer Seminar, which may be conducted by either an IROA Instructor or a certified NROI Instructor of the Region in which the Seminar is held.
- Must submit an IROA membership application using the prescribed form. The application form must be countersigned by both his Regional Director and NROI President, and forwarded to IROA.
Certification
Experienced range officers may apply for IROA certification and need to follow the step-by-step instructions:
- Complete the on-line IROA Application form.
- Print out a hard copy of the application form completed in step 1.
- Send the hard copy application form to your NROI President and Regional Director for their signatures.
- Email, fax, or mail the signed application with a copy of your Level I IROA Seminar certificate to IROA.
All applications are reviewed by IROA quarterly (January/April/July/October).
Once IROA has approved the application, an email will be sent informing the applicant of the log-in procedure to the IROA System.
- Log-in to the IROA System using the user ID and password. View and update your personal information on-line and create your own password. Make sure to fill in the Security Question and Answer. We strongly recommend you use a one word answer in lower case characters.
- Submit on-line a recent portrait (head and shoulders) photograph. The photograph must be uploaded in JPEG format, exactly 120 pixels wide by 160 pixels high and no greater than 30k in size. No application will be considered without a current photograph.
- You must then click on the Generate my points card link and print the Points Card for your use. You then work as a Provisional Range Officer for a minimum of 2 Level III or higher sanctioned matches in the discipline you applied for. Matches worked by a Provisional Stats Officer can be in any discipline. At each of these matches the Points Card must be signed by the IROA supervising Official. You must register the points for two of these matches on-line and the completed signed points card must be sent to IROA.
Following receipt of the Points Card, the applicant’s name will be circulated to all IROA members. The IROA Executive Committee will then consider the application for full membership.
Approvals are done quarterly (January/April/July/October).
Once certified, IROA officials must accumulate match points each year to maintain their certification.
IPSC Match Ratings and Match Points
Match Ratings were designed to define the scope and nature of the match. A Level III Match is a Regional Championship. A Level IV Match is a Continental Championship. A Level V Match is the World Shoot.
Officials earn match points by officiating at matches, and different levels of matches earn the equivalent points.